Dual sheet detachable hock protector

Abstract

A device for protecting the skin of an animal from damage, abrasion and/or moisture is provided. A first version includes an elastic element attached to a pair of protective sheets. The elastic element in combination with the protective sheets encircles an animal limb proximate to a hock, wherein the protective sheets are positioned over the hock. One or more protective sheets may be partially curved to form a cup shape for at least partially enclosing the hock. A moisture absorbent material may be attached to and disposed between the skin of the animal limb and both the elastic sheet and the protective sheets. The absorbent material may be a wicking material, such as a moisture wicking fleece. The protective sheet may optionally be asymmetric as positioned about a sagittal plane central to the hock.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hock protector for protecting a posterior surface of a hock of a limb of an animal, the hock protector comprising:
 a. an elastic attachment band, the elastic attachment band adapted to at least partially encircle the animal limb above the hock of the animal limb; 
 b. a first protective sheet, the first protective sheet coupled to the elastic attachment band and extending from the elastic attachment band, the first protective sheet adapted to substantially cover the posterior surface of the hock, whereby the elastic attachment band in combination with the first protective sheet are adapted to encircle the animal limb above the hock wherein the first protective sheet extends downward and away from the elastic band; 
 c. a second protective sheet, the second protective sheet coupled with the first protective sheet and the elastic attachment band; and 
 d. a moisture absorbent lining attached to an inside of the first protective sheet, and the moisture absorbent lining being disposed between the first protective sheet and the hock; wherein the moisture absorbent lining comprises a tongue, and the tongue extends from an inside of the first protective sheet and over a top edge of the first protective sheet, wherein the tongue is gathered and attached to an outside of the first protective sheet by stitching, whereby the gathered moisture absorbent lining is available to flatten when the first protective sheet expands as caused by a movement of the hock. 
 
     
     
       2. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet extends away from the elastic attachment band in the range of from one inch to nine inches. 
     
     
       3. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet extends away from the elastic attachment band in the range of from five inches to eight inches. 
     
     
       4. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet comprises a material selected from the material group consisting of a neoprene material, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, an aromatic polyamide, a para-aramid fiber, a synthetic rubber and an organic rubber. 
     
     
       5. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet forms a curvilinear shape forming a convex shape that substantially covers a back of the hock. 
     
     
       6. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet is shaped asymmetrically along a sagittal plane of the hock. 
     
     
       7. The hock protector of  claim 6 , wherein the first protective sheet forms a curvilinear shape forming a convex shape that substantially covers a back of the hock. 
     
     
       8. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic attachment band is elastically deformable in the range of from one inch to three inches, whereby a circumference of the hock protector around the animal limb may vary due to movement of the hock in the range of from one to three inches while the elastic band substantially maintains a position above the hock. 
     
     
       9. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet is elastically deformable in the range of from one quarter inch to three inches, whereby a circumference of the hock protector around the animal limb may vary due to movement of the hock in the range of from less than one inch to three inches, and the elastic band in combination with the first protective sheet substantially maintains a position above the hock. 
     
     
       10. The hock protector of  claim 9 , wherein the moisture absorbent lining comprises a cushion material. 
     
     
       11. The hock protector of  claim 10 , wherein the elastic attachment band is elastically deformable in the range of from less than one inch to three inches, whereby a circumference of the hock protector around the animal limb may vary due to movement of the hock in the range of from one to three inches and the elastic band substantially maintains a position above the hock. 
     
     
       12. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic attachment band is separable by a securing feature. 
     
     
       13. The hock protector of  claim 12 , wherein the elastic attachment band comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end is attached to the first protective sheet and the second end is detachably attachable to the first protective sheet by the securing feature. 
     
     
       14. The hock protector of  claim 13 , wherein the securing feature in combination with the elastic band second end comprises a hook and loop fastener assembly. 
     
     
       15. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbent lining is selected from the lining material group of a natural absorbent fiber, a natural fleece, a synthetic absorbent fiber, a synthetic absorbent fleece, a natural wicking fiber, and a synthetic wicking fiber. 
     
     
       16. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective sheet is elastically deformable in the range of from one quarter inch to three inches, whereby the gathered absorbent lining flattens as a circumference of the hock protector around the animal limb varies due to movement of the hock, and an expansion of the elastic band in combination with the first protective sheet is not inhibited by the moisture absorbent lining. 
     
     
       17. The hock protector of  claim 16 , wherein the moisture absorbent lining is selected from the lining material group of a natural absorbent fiber, a natural fleece, a synthetic absorbent fiber, a synthetic absorbent fleece, a natural wicking fiber, and a synthetic wicking fiber. 
     
     
       18. The hock protector of  claim 1 , wherein the second protective sheet extends away from the elastic attachment band in the range of from one inches to nine inches. 
     
     
       19. The hock protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a stitching that couples the first protective sheet with the second protective sheet.